Valved ejector pump



Nov. 2, 1965 R. M. HOFFMANN VALVED EJECTOR PUMP N. .@.Nwml n" m" k NRN., NN mmm/kk NQ@ .HRNI

United States Patent O 3,215,089 VALVED EJECTOR P Ralph M. Hoffmann, 1835 Waldo Blvd., Manitowoc, Wis. Filed Aug. 22, 1963, Ser. No. 303,749 17 Claims. (Cl. 2103-276) This invention relates to jet pumps and to control valve means for the same.

Jet pumps have been used as ejectors or eductors for drawing water from basement drainage sumps, tanks and other containers, and in some cases have been automatically controlled in response to liquid level.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved jet pump adapted for use in removing basement drainage or other liquids and including novel control valve means for automatically starting and stopping the pumping action, as in response to liquid level in a drain sump or other container.

Another object is to provide improved control valve means adapted for use with a jet pump and operable by the pressurized water or other liquid which actuates the pump.

A further object is to provide control valve means of this character including a snap action pilot or venting valve.

A further object is to provide a jet pump having improved means for discharging venting liquid from hydraulically operated valve means of the pump, and in which suction is utilized to assist in holding a main inlet valve in open condition.

A further object is to provide a jet pump which is eilicient, reliable and relatively quiet in operation, which is capable of easy installation, and which is of simple, durable and inexpensive construction.

A further object is to provide improved hydraulically operated valve means capable of starting and stopping the flow of a relatively large volume of pressurized liquid by pilot control of a very small quantity of the same liquid.

The invention further consists in the several features hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, illustrating certain embodiments of the invention:

FIG. l is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of an ejector-forming jet pump constructed in accordance with the invention, a drive water inlet valve thereof being closed, and parts of a sump-evacuating suction conduit and liquid-level-responsive valve control means being shown schematically;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the jet pump;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic elevational view of the sump pump installation, parts being shown in section;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a part of the pump, showing the drive water inlet valve thereof in open position;

FIG. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional View of a snap-acting pilot valve mechanism, taken generally on the line 5-5 of FIG. l;

FIG. 6 is a sectional detail view of pilot valve parts;

FIG. 7 is a detail view of a rock lever of the pilot valve mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a detail view of a toggle-forming rock lever;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1 showing the pump provided with a modified form of snap-action pilot valve mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the pilot valve mechanism in vent-opening position;

FIG. l1 is a vertical sectional view taken generally on the line 11-11 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a detail sectional view taken generally on the line 12-12 of FIG. l1;

ice

FIG. 13 is a detail view of a toggle-forming rock lever, and

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of an inlet valve member for each form of pump.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8 of the drawings, 15 designates generally a valved jet pump of the invention. While the pump is of general application, it is here shown to be arranged as an ejector or eductor for removing water from a drainage sump 16 in a house basement. The basement has the usual foundation wall 17 supporting floor joists 18 forming a basement ceiling, and the pump is mounted on the underside of the ceiling and is preferably located directly over the sump.

The pump 15 includes a tubular pump body or housing 19, preferably in the form of a metal casting, and desirably extending horizontally, as shown. A11 upwardly projecting boss 20 is formed on an end portion of the pump body in the axial plane thereof and is secured to the underside of a mounting bar 21, such as of metal or wood, by a screw 22, the bar in turn being rigidly fastened to the lower edge portions of one or more of the joists 18 by screws 23.

An exteriorly ribbed discharge or venturi nozzle 24 projects from the boss-carrying end portion of the tubular pump body in alignment therewith and is provided with a longitudinal discharge passage 25 flaring in downstream direction. The passage includes an entrance throat 26 which is preferably convergent in downstream direction, the entrance throat extending into a suction chamber 27 formed in the pump body. The discharge nozzle 24 is here shown to have a rigid screw-threaded connection 28 with the pump body and to be sealed by a packing ring 29. However, in some instances the discharge nozzle may be integral with the pump body. The other end portion of the pump body forms a valve barrel 30 with a cylindrical bore 31 therein aligned with the discharge nozzle, the bore having an enlarged outer end portion 32 to receive various ttings hereinafter described and to form an outwardly facing annular shoulder 33 at the outer end of the main bore.

The pump body is formed with a partition 34separating the suction chamber 27 from the inner end of the barrel bore 31 and provided with a bore 35 coaxial with the barrel bore and discharge nozzle, the partition presenting an annular shoulder 36 surrounding the inner end of the bore 35. A jet nozzle member 37 with a through bore or passage 38 is secured in the partition bore 35 and projects into the suction chamber 27, the tapered downstream end of the jet nozzle member extending a' short distance into the entrance throat 26 of the discharge nozzle. In a typical household sump pump, the diameter of the jet nozzle bore 38 may be about 3/16, and the small diameter of the discharge nozzle passage may be about 5A6. The jet nozzle member includes an annular flange 39 within the barrel bore 31 abutting against the annular shoulder 36. The jet nozzle member is retained in position by a snap ring 40 abutting against the outer side of the partition. An O-ring 41 is seated in a peripheral groove 42 formed in the nozzle member near the flange 39 and engages the partition bore 35. The jet nozzle bore 38 has a conical entrance 43, and the jet nozzle member presents a flat valve seat 44 around the entrance.

Adjacent to the inner end of the jet nozzle member the valve barrel 30 is provided at opposite sides with a pair of selectively usable aligned inlet bosses 45, FIG. 2, defining inlet ports 46 at the pump body bore 31, FIGS. l and 4. One of the inlet bosses is connected to a supply pipe 47 for admitting pressurized water into the valve barrel bore 31 from the house water system, and the other inlet bore is closed by a pipe plug 48.

A spool-shaped valve member 49, hereinafter more fully described, is reciprocable in the barrel bore 31 and forms a main valve cooperating with the valve seat 44 to control flow of pressurized water through the jet nozzle member 37. By way of example, the water at the pump inlet port 46 may have a pressure ranging from about 30 to 70 p.s.\i., although much higher pressures can be applied.

Y Formed on the lower side of the pump body 19 is a downwardly projecting interiorly threaded suction inlet boss S communicating with the suction chamber 2'7 and forming a wrench-hold. The axes of the suction inlet boss 50 and attaching boss 20 are aligned and intersect the axis of the pump body 31. A vertical suction pipe 51 is screwed into the boss 50 and depends therefrom, the lower end of the pipe extending into the sump 16 and preferably being provided with a combined strainer and foot valve 52. The suction lift is, of course, limited to 32 feet, but preferably does not exceed 20 feet, being controlled by the static pressure available, the dynamic inlet pressure, and other factors.

The outlet end of the discharge nozzle 24 has an interiorly threaded boss 53 which forms a wrench-hold. A horizontal outlet pipe 54 is screwed into the discharge nozzle boss 53 and extends outwardly through the basement wall 17 to a point of disposal.

The discharge nozzle passage 25 forms an expansion chamber, but instead of having the conventional long conical shape with a straight are it is provided with a horn-shaped or curved flare which is arranged to provide a substantially uniform rate of decrease in water velocity and a substantially uniform rate of increase in pressure during operation of the pump. This configuration also permits a considerable reduction in the length of the discharge nozzle, thus saving material and facilitating casting.

The spool-shaped piston valve member 49 includes a pair of axially spaced front and rear heads, lands, or annular flanges 55 and 56 which slidably t in the pump body bore 31 with a small clearance. The piston valve member includes a cylindrical front portion 57 with a central conical projection 58 surrounded by a flat annular face 59 in which is formed a concentric annular groove 60. A valve ring or deformed O-ring 61, such as of neoprene, is confined in the groove 60 and is retained therein by cementing or by inwardly crimping an annular rib 62 defining the outer wall of the groove. The valve ring 61 is adapted to engage the flat valve seat 44 formed on the jet nozzle member 37 and thus prevent flow of pressurized water from the pump body bore 31 through the jet nozzle member. The effective diameter of the valve ring 61 is preferably about one-half the diameter of the pump body bore 31. The conical front projection 58 of the valve member is also provided with a cylindrical tip or nose 63 adapted to enter loosely into the entrance end of the jet nozzle bore 38 so as to prevent hydraulic shock or water hammer when the valve closes.

The front land or flange 55 of the piston valve member is spaced rearwardly from the at front face 59 of this member a sucient distance to expose a small front portion of the inlet port 46 when the valve member is closed, so that line pressure will be present in the space between this ange and the inner end of the jet nozzle member 37. If the ange 56 is placed farther forward, leakage around the periphery of the ange will still provide line pressure in front of the flange. The rear land or ange 56 of the piston valve member is spaced rearwardly from the front land and is provided with an annular groove 64 receiving an 0ring 65 bearing against the walls of the pump body bore 31 at a region spaced rearwardly of the inlet port 46. A rearwardly opening pocket-forming bore 66 is coaxially formed in the piston valve member, and a small axial bleed opening 67 is formed in the rear flange S6 of the hollow piston valve member, thus providing communication between the inlet port 46 and the rear end portion of the cylinder bore 31, as seen in FIG. 1. When the piston valve member is in its retracted position, as

4 seen in FIG. 4, the front flange 55 thereof is rearward of the inlet port 46, but water is free to flow rearwardly at a restricted rate past the periphery of the loosely fitting front flange. In addition, the front flange may have a small axial water port 68, as seen in FIG. 14.

The piston valve member 49 is normally urged to closed position by differential water pressure, as hereinafter described, and by a compressed coil spring 69 one end portion of which extends in the rearwardly opening pocketforming bore 66 of the valve member, and the other end of which is seated on a cup-like annularly shouldered valve block 70 fitting in the outer end of the housing bore 29. A flanged closure bushing 71 is screwed into the outer end of the housing bore 31 and Iincludes a hexagonal medial flange 72. The bushing has a cupped inner portion 73 which retains the shouldered valve block against or adjacent to the annular shoulder 33 of the bore and forms a venting chamber 74, the valve block being sealed by an O-ring 75 tting in an annular groove 76 formed in the reduced front portion of the block and bearing against the walls of the bore 31. A back pressure chamber 77 of variable volume is formed in the pump body bore between the valve block land the rear end of the piston valve. The valve block has an axial vent port 78 surrounded at its front or inner end by an annular boss 79 which centers the adjacent end of the coiled spring 69. The outer end of the vent port is surrounded by an annular bead-like valve seat 84. The cross-sectional area of the Vent port 78 is substantially larger than that of the bleed opening 67 in the piston valve member 49. The biasing spring 69 is selected to prevent the piston valve member from opening should the inlet or supply pressure be insufficient to provide satisfactory pump operation. This occurs when the supply pressure is about 2O p.s.i. The biasing spring 69 will also assist in preventing accidental momentary opening of the piston valve member by surges in line pressure.

The closure bushing 71 has an axial bore 81 in which is slidable a valve stem 82, the valve stem 'being normally Iurged inwardly as hereinafter described. The inner end portion of the valve stem carries a cup-like valve member '83 of neoprene or other rubber-like material which includes a sleeve portion 84 and presents a at end wall 85 adapted `to engage the annular seat of the vent port 78 to close this port. The flat end wall of the valve member avoids the need for accurate alignment of the valve stem with the vent port. The valve stem has an annular groove 86 at its inner end to `receive an inner bead 87 on the sleeve, and the rear portion of the sleeve slidably fits over a forwardly projecting tubular boss 88 formed on the bushing, thus providing a seal to prevent leakage along the stem. The cup-like valve member may either be molded about the inner end of the valve stem or -be slipped thereon.

The medial flange 72 of the closure bushing 71 is provided with a radial bore 89 in which is housed a detent lball 90 urged inwardly by a compressed coil spring 91 confined by a screw plug 92. The detent ball is engageable in an annular groove 93 formed about the valve stem when the valve stem is in its open or retracted position, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, so as to releasably retain the valve stem in its retracted position.

A vent passage 94 extends longitudinally in the lower portion of the pump body within a rib 95 formed on the body, the outer end of the passage being closed by a screw plug 96, and the other end opening at the suction chamber 27. Near its outer end the vent passage has a lateral port 97 which communicates with the bushing chamber 74 by way of a radial port 98 formed in the cup-shaped inner end of the closure bushing.

Secured to the outer end portion of the closure bushing 71 is a rectangular open-bottom casing 99, such as of sheet metal, having vertical end walls 100 and 101, op-

The end wall 100 `has a circular aperture 105 in which ts a cylindrical boss 106 of the closure bushing, this wall being anchored on the bushing by a snap ring 107 engaging in a peripheral groove 108 in the boss. An axially adjustable stop screw 109 aligned with the valve stern is clamped to the outer end wall 101 of the casing by nuts 110 and is engageable by the outer end of the valve stern to limit the open position of the cup-like valve member 83. A shoulder-forming Washer or disk 111 is adjustably clamped on the outer end portion of the valve stem by anking nuts 112 threaded on the stem. A coiled compression spring 113 coaxial with the valve stem is interposed between the outer washer-clamping nut 112 and the inner nut 110 for the stop screw 109 and normally urges the valve stem inwardly to closed position.

A horizontal shaft 114 extends transversely below the valve stem approximately in the vertical plane of the washer 111 and is secured in t-he opposite vertical side walls of the casing, as by snap rings 115, FIG. 5. The shaft 114 has pivoted thereon a pair of rock levers 116 :and 117 disposed in side-by-side relation and -forming parts of a snap-acting mechanism. The rock lever 116 comprises a hub 118 carrying Ia at lever arm 119 near the casing side wall 102 and is upwardly biased in counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. l, by a coiled spring 120, one spring end being hooked onto the lever arm and the other end being hooked onto a cut-out bar portion 121 of the casing top wall 104. The hubbed rock lever 116 has a concentric lower arcuate recess 122 presenting a pair of angularly spaced shoulders 123 and 124. The rock lever 117, which forms a toggle member, comprises a U-shaped metal strap having parallel arm portions 125 and 126 which are journalled on the shaft 114 and which carry near their yoke-connected outer ends a cross pin 127 extending parallel to the shaft 114. One end of the cross pin 127 extends in the arcuate recess 122 of the rock lever 116 for alternate engagement with the spaced shoulders 123 and 124, thus providing a lost motion connection between the two rock levers. The other end of the cross pin is connected by a coiled spring 128 with a stud 129 anchored on the upper portion of the casing side wall 103, FIG. 5, so as to provide a toggle or overcenter snap action, the stud being disposed substantially in the vertical plane of the valve stem Washer 111. The upper end of the rock lever arm 125 is provided with a concentric arcuate recess 130 presenting a pair of angularly spaced shoulders 131 and 132 engageable with the opposite faces of the valve stem washer 111 -to reciprocate the valve stem.

The free end of the rock lever arm 119 is connected by a ilexible vertical cord or chain 133 with an ar-m of a oat lever 134 swingably carried at an intermediate point on a horizontal pivot pin 135 projecting from a collar 136 which is secured to the lower end of the suction pipe 51, the other arm of the lever 134 carrying a iioat 137 resting on the water W in the sump 16.

In operation, when the sump Water is at its lower level, as seen in FIG. l, the valve stem 82 is normally urged inwardly by the action of the springs 113, 120 and 128 to close the vent port 78. The piston valve member 49 is urged to closed position against the jet nozzle valve seat 44 by diierential water pressure acting lforwardly on the valve member, aided by the spring 69, thus preventing pressurized water admitted to the valve chamber or bore 31 from ilowing through the -jet nozzle. The water in the bore 31 seeps through the bleed opening 67 in the piston valve member into the then closed back pressure chamber 77 behind the piston valve member, building up a static pressure which provides the diierentiial closing pressure on the valve member, the eiective area of the rear end of the piston valve member being greater than that at the front end of the piston valve member around the periphery of the valve ring 61.

Upon rise of water level in the sump 16, the iloat 137 correspondingly rises and through the oat lever 134 and tensioned cord 133 swings the rock lever 116 clockwise,

as viewed in FIG. 1, against the tension of the coiled spring 120. The snap-acting rock lever 117 is thereby also swung clockwise by the driving abutment of the rock lever shoulder 123 against the cross pin 127 on the rock lever 117, retracting the rock lever shoulder 131 fromv the outer or rear face of the valve stem washer 111. However, the compressed coil spring 113 continues to hold the valve stem in closed position. After a further rise in liquid level the float-actuated rock lever 116 assumes the angular position seen in FIG. 4, causing t-he springbiased toggle-forming rock lever 117 to snap over center and to eifect engagement of its shoulder 132 with the opposite or front face of the valve stem washer 111, thus displacing the valve stem outwardly to its open position against the action of the spring 113, as seen in FIG. 4. In the open or retracted position of the valve stem, the spring-pressed detent ball engages in 4the annular groove 93 formed in the valve stem. T-he opening of the venting valve 78, 83 causes the Water pressure in the back pressure chamber 77 of the pump body bore to drop and as a result, the line or supply pressure acting on the iront area of the piston valve member around the valve ring 61 displaces this valve member rearwardly in the bore 31, unseating the valve ring from the jet nozzle valve seat 44 against the action of the spring 69, and allowing water under pressure to ow t-hrough the jet nozzle 37, the flow increasing as the front iiange 55 of the valve member 4further exposes the inlet or supply port 46. The water pressure on the front area of the piston valve member also increases, and the valve member finally assumes the retracted position seen in FIG. 4, the rear flange or head '56 lbeing close to or in abutment with the valve block 70. The water behind the piston valve member passes through the vent po-rt 78 and the venting passage 94 and is discharged into the suction chamber 27 of the pump. The Water jet issuing from t-he jet nozzle 37 Hows into the discharge nozzle passage 25 and by conversion of the pressure head into a velocity head creates a partial vacuum in t-he suction chamber 27, raising water from the sump 16 through the suction pipe 51. The aspirated sump water mixes with the jet water and flows through t-he discharge nozzle 24, gradually decreasing in velocity and increasing in pressure to provide maximum ow and being discharged through the outlet pipe 54. The suction exerted on the rear end of the retracted piston valve member by way of the venting passage 94 provides an additional holding action on this valve member. The higher the lift, the more positively will this valve member be held open. Also, since t-he rear ange 56 of the piston valve member, with its axial bleed opening 67, is close to or in abutment with the venting valve block 70, the relatively small flow of bleed Water occurring during the retracting travel of the valve member is either substantially reduced or com-V pletely shut off.

When the water in the sump drops to its normal level after a pumping operation, the float 137 correspondingly drops, permitting the retractile coil spring to swing the lrock lever 116 in a counterclockwise direction from the position of FIG. 4 toward the position of FIG. l. The rock lever or toggle lever 117 is urged in a counterclockwise direction by the shoulder 124 of the rock lever 116 engaging the cross pin 127 of the toggle lever, retracting the shoulder 132 of the toggle lever from the valve stem -washer 111. However, the valve stem is temporarily retained in its retracted position by the engagement of the spring-pressed detent or latching ball 90 in the peripheral groove 93 of the valve stem. After a further Vangular travel of the rock lever 116, the toggle lever 117 snaps over center, whereupon the shoulder 131 of the toggle lever strikes the outer or rear face of the valve stem washer 111, releasing the valve stem from the detent ball 90 and driving the valve stem to closed position,`

aided by the action of the spring 113, the valve member 83 on the inwardly displaced valve stem closing the vent port 78. The pressurized liquid in front of the piston valve member seeping through the bleed opening 67 of this valve member then builds up a pressure in the back pressure chamber 79 and forces the valve member forwardly to closed position, aided by the pressure of the spring 69. As the piston valve member approaches its closed position, the tip or nose 63 of the valve member enters the entrance of the jet nozzle 37, thusrestricting the inflow of pressurized water into the valve bore 31 and preventing water hammer. Even in the absence of the flow-restricting tip the .water flow will be restricted by the forwardly moving front piston flange 55 as soon as it approaches the front edge 4of the inlet or supply port 46. The aspirating action on the sump water then ceases, and the foot valve 52 will retain a column of sump water in the suction pipe 51. If the foot valve is omitted, the water in the suction pipe will drop to the sump level, but will again rise in the suction pipe when a subsequent pumping action commences. The foot valve has the advantage of reducing noise and insuring prompt starting of the pump.

It has been found that with 55 p.s.i. supply water at about 60 F., and with a jet nozzle having a bore diameter of 3/16 inch, a vacuum of 20 inches of mercury can be continuously maintained in the suction or mixing chamber 27 of the pump if the suction flow is completely shut olf. This corresponds to a suction lift which is considerably higher than that usually required for removing basement drainage. During normal operation of the pump the vacuum in the suction chamber 27 is of course identical with the head of water lifted from the sump to the pump.

The jet pump is disposed well above the sump so that foreign matter in the sump water will not adversely affect the operation of the valve means. Also, any foreign matter aspirated with the sump water will pass lthrough the open discharge nozzle of the pump without danger of clogging.

As hereinbefore described, the restricted water ow through the axial bleed opening 67 in the piston valve member will be further restricted or stopped when the retracted valve member is close to or in abutment with the centrally ported valve block 70. It is also possible to provide a restricted communication between the front and rear portions of the barrel bore 31 -by omitting the O- ring 65 from the rear flange or head 56 of the piston valve member, in which event bleed water will be free to seep rearwardly past the periphery of this flange. In this case the bleed opening 67 may or may not be provided.

The pump of the invention is of simple, reliable and inexpensive construction, and since no electric power is required for operation it is not affected by electrical failures, and there is no danger of electrical shock.`

The modified ejector pump shown in FIGS. 9 to 13 is similar to the pump of FIG. 1 except for the liquid level controlled snap acting valve mechanism. A rectangular open bottom casing 99', generally similar to the casing 99 of FIG. 1, is fixed to the closure bushing 71, as in FIG. 1, and the spring-pressed pilot or venting valve stem 82 carries a shoulder-forming washer 111, as in FIG. l, the opening travel of the valve stem being adjustably limited by a stop screw 109, as in FIG. 1. A horizontal shaft 114 extends transversely below the valve stem approximately in the vertical plane of the valve stem washer 111 and is journalled in the opposite parallel side walls of the casing. The shaft 114' supports thereon a pair of rock levers 116 and 117' in side-by-side relation. The rock lever 116 comprises a hub 118 having fixed thereto a flat lever plate 119' disposed near the casing side wall 102, the hub being secured to the shaft by a cross pin 118e. A float-actuated lever arm 119a is xed to the projecting end of the shaft 114' `and projects toward the suction inlet boss 50. The lever arm 119a forms, in effect, a part of the rock lever 116'. The rock lever 116 is upwardly biased in clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 9, by a coiled spring 120',

one spring end being hooked onto the lever plate 119 and the other spring end being hooked onto a cut-out bar portion 121 formed at an outer upper corner of the casing. The hubbed rock lever 116' has a lower concentric arcuate recess 122 presenting a pair of angular spaced shoulders 123 and 124, as in the device of FIG. 1. The rock lever or toggle lever 117 comprises a U-shaped metal strap having parallel arm portions 125 and 126 which are journalled on the shaft 114'. A finger 127' is rigidly carried by the yoke portion of the U-shaped rock lever 117' and extends parallel to the shaft. The free end of the finger 127` extends in the arcuate recess 122 of the rock lever 116 for Aalternate engagement with the spaced shoulders 123 and 124, thus providing a lost motion connection between the two rock levers. Near its free end the upwardly projecting arm portion 126 of the rock lever 117 carries a stud 129:1 which is pivotally connected to an eyed end of a V-shaped leaf spring 128'. The other eyed end of the spring is pivotally carried on a stud 129' fixed on the upper portion of the side wall 103 of the casing 99', the stud being disposed approximately in the projected vertical plane of the valve stem washer 111. The spring 128' thus provides a toggle or overcenter action for ythe U-shaped rock lever 117. The other and shorter arm of the rock lever 117 is provided at its free end with an arcuate concentric recess 130 presenting a pair of angularly spaced shoulders 131 and 132, as in the device of FIG. l, engageable with opposite faces of the valve stem washer 111 to reciprocate the valve stem.

The free end of the rock lever arm 119:1 is connected by a oord or chain 133' with a float 137' carrying a suspended weight 138, the float resting on the water W in the sump and the weight being submerged in the water.

The operation of the ejector pump of FIG. 9 is generally similar to that of FIG. 1. Rise of liquid level in the sump effects a corresponding rise of the weighted float 137', permitting the coil spring 120' to swing the rock lever 116 clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 9, thenger127 on this rock lever driving the toggle-forming rock lever 117' clockwise over center with a snap action, and the shoulder 132 on the toggle-forming rock lever thereupon striking the front face of the valve stem washer 111 and retracting the pilot valve stem to its open position against the pressure of the coil spring 113, as seen in FIG. 10. The spool-shaped main valve member 49 is thereby hydraulically opened, and a pumping operation takes place, as in the device of FIG. l. After the pumping operation, the weighted float descends to the position of FIG. 1, swinging the rock lever 116' counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 9, and thereby driving the toggle-formed rock lever 117 over center with a snap action, the shoulder 131 on this rock lever striking the rear face of the valve stem washer 111 and displacing the pilot valve stem inwardly to closed position. The main valve member 49 is thereupon hydraulically closed, and the pumping action ceases.

In the pump control of FIG. 9, the float-carrying weight 138 actuates the pilot valve to closed position, making it unnecessary to provide the float-carrying reversing lever 134 and mounting therefor included in the pump control of FIG. 1.

I claim:

1. In a jet pump having an inlet, a jet nozzle and a suction chamber; hydraulically operated valve means controlling the flow of pressurized liquid through said jet nozzle from said inlet and including a reciprocable main valve movable to open and closed positions and a pressure chamber at the rear side of said valve member, the front side of said valve member being exposed to the pressure of said liquid for urging said main valve to open position, means providing a restricted bleed passage between said inlet and said pressure chamber for admitting liquid under pressure to said pressure chamber, biasing means normally urging said main valve to closed position, means providing a venting passage between said pressure chamber and said suction chamber to discharge bleed liquid from said pressure chamber and to impose a suction on the rear side of said main valve when said main valve is open, and a pilot valve in said venting passage movable to open and closed positions for controlling the opening and closing of said main valve, said pilot valve when open relieving the liquid pressure in said pressure chamber to permit opening of the main valve by liquid pressure acting on the front side of said main valve, and said pilot valve when closed permitting restoration of liquid pressure in said pressure chamber through said bleed passage to permit closing of said main valve by said biasing means.

2. In a jet pump having an inlet, a jet nozzle and a suction chamber; hydraulically operated valve means controlling the ow of pressurized liquid through said jet nozzle from said inlet and including a reciprocable main Valve movable to open and closed positions and a pressure chamber at the rear side of said valve member, the front side of said valve member being exposed to the pressure of said liquid for urging said main valve to open position, means providing a restricted bleed passage between said inlet and said pressure chamber for admitting liquid under pressure to said pressure chamber, biasing means normally urging said main valve to closed position, means providing a venting passage between said pressure chamber and said suction chamber to discharge bleed liquid from said pressure chamber, and a snap-acting pilot valve in said venting passage movable to open and closed positions for controlling the opening and closing of said main valve, said pilot valve when open relieving the liquid pressure in said pressure chamber to permit opening of the main valve by liquid pressure acting on the front side of said main valve, and said pilot valve when closed permitting restoration of liquid pressure in said pressure chamber through said bleed passage to permit closing of said main valve by said biasing means.

3. In a jet pump having an inlet, a jet nozzle and a suction chamber; hydraulically operated valve means controlling the flow of pressurized liquid through said jet nozzle from said inlet and including a reciprocable main valve movable to open and closed positions and a pressure chamber at the rear side of said valve member, the front side of said valve member being exposed to the pressure of said liquid for urging said main valve to open position, means providing a restricted bleed passage between said inlet and said pressure chamber for admitting liquid under pressure to said pressure chamber, biasing means normally urging said main valve to closed position, means providing a venting passage between said pressure chamber and said suction chamber to discharge bleed liquid from said pressure chamber, a pilot valve in said venting passage movable t-o open and closed positions for controlling the opening and closing of said main valve, and releasable detent means holding said pilot valve in open position, said pilot valve when open relieving the liquid pressure in said pressure chamber to permit opening of the main valve by liquid pressure acting on the front side of said main valve, and said pilot valve when closed permitting restoration of liquid pressure in said pressure chamber through said bleed passage to permit closing of said main valve by said biasing means.

4. In a jet pump having an inlet, a jet nozzle and a suction chamber; hydraulically operated valve means controlling the flow of pressurized liquid through said jet nozzle from said inlet and including a reciprocable main valve movable to open and closed positions and a pressure chamber at the rear side of said valve member, the front side of said valve member being exposed to the pressure of said liquid for urging said main valve to open position, means providing a restricted bleed passage between said inlet and said pressure chamber for admitting liquid under pressure to said pressure chamber, biasing means normally urging said main valve to closed position,

means providing a venting passage between said pressure chamber and said suction chamber to discharge bleed liquid from said pressure chamber, and a pilot valve in said venting passage movable to open and closed positions for controlling the opening and closing of said main valve, said pilot valve when open relieving the liquid pressure in said pressure chamber to permit opening of the main valve by liquid pressure acting on the front side of said main valve, and said .pilot valve when closed permitting restoration of liquid pressure in said pressure chamber through said bleed passage to permit closing of said main valve by said biasing means, said main valve when in open position providing an additional restriction in said bleed passage to limit the ow of bleed liquid through said venting passage.

5. In a jet pump having an inlet, a jet nozzle and a suction chamber; hydraulically operated valve means controlling the ilow of pressurized liquid through said jet nozzle from said inlet and including a reciprocable main valve movable to open and closed positions and a pressure chamber at the rear side of said valve member, the front side of said valve member being exposed to the pressure of said liquid for urging said main valve to open position, means providing a restricted bleed passage between said inlet and said pressure chamber for admitting liquid under pressure to said pressure chamber, biasing means normally urging said main valve to closed position, means providing a venting passage between said pressure chamber and said suction chamber to discharge bleed liquid from said pressure chamber, a pilot valve in said venting passage movable to open and closed positions for controlling the opening and closing of said main valve, said pilot valve when open relieving the liquid pressure in said pressure chamber to permit opening of the main valve by liquid pressure acting on the front side of said main valve, and said pilot valve when closed permitting restoration of liquid pressure in said pressure chamber through said bleed passage to permit closing of said main valve by said biasing means, and liquid level responsive means for actuating said pilot valve.

6. In a jet pump having an inlet, a jet nozzle and a suction chamber; hydraulically operated valve means controlling the ilow of pressurized liquid through said jet nozzle from said inlet and including a reciprocable main valve movable to open and closed positions and a pressure chamber at the rear side of said valve member, the front side of said valve member being exposed to the pressure of said liquid for urging said main valve to open position, means providing a restricted bleed passage between said inlet and said pressure chamber for admitting liquid under pressure to said pressure chamber, biasing means normally urging said main valve to closed position, means providing a venting passage between said pressure chamber and said suction chamber to discharge bleed liquid from said pressure chamber, a pilot valve in said venting passage movable to open and closed positions for controlling the opening and closing of said main valve, said pilot valve when open relieving the liquid pressure in said pressure chamber to permit opening of the main valve by liquid pressure acting on the front side of said main valve, and said pilot valve when closed permitting restoration of liquid pressure in said pressure chamber through said bleed passage to permit closing of said main valve by said biasing means, actuating means for said pilot valve including a flexible tension member, and liquid level responsive means connected to said tension member.

7. In a jet pump, a pump body having a cylinder with a lateral inlet for pressurized liquid and having an axial outlet at an end of said cylinder including a jet nozzle, said body further having a valve seat surrounding the entrance of said outlet and a suction chamber communicating with the nozzle discharge, a piston valve reciprocable in said cylinder to open and closed positions and having a valve element engageable with said seat, said cylinder forming a pressure chamber therein at the rear side of said piston valve, the front side of said valve being exposed to the pressure of said liquid for urging said piston valve in opening direction, means providing a restricted bleed passage between said inlet and said pressure chamber for admitting liquid under pressure to said pressure chamber, biasing means in said cylinder normally urging said piston valve in closing direction, means providing a venting passage between said pressure chamber and said suction chamber to discharge bleed liquid from said pressure chamber, and a pilot valve in said venting passage movable to open and closed positions for controlling the opening and closing of said piston valve, said pilot valve when open relieving the liquid pressure in said pressure chamber to permit opening of the piston valve by liquid pressure acting on the front side of said piston valve, and said pilot valve when closed permitting restoration of liquid pressure in said pressure chamber through said bleed passage to permit closing of said piston valve by said biasing means.

8. In a jet pump having an inlet for pressurized liquid, a jet nozzle, and a suction chamber adapted for connection to a liquid receptacle to be evacuated; hydraulically operated valve means controlling the flow of pressurized liquid from said inlet through said jet nozzle and including a reciprocable main valve movable to open and closed positions and a pressure chamber at the rear side of said valve, the front side of said main valve being exposed to the pressurized liquid for urging said main valve in opening direction, means providing a restricted bleed passage between said inlet and pressure chamber for admitting pressurized liquid to said pressure chamber, biasing means normally urging said main valve in closing direction, means providing a venting passage connecting said pressure chamber and said suction chamber, a pilot valve for opening and closing said venting passage, said pilot valve when open relieving the pressure in said pressure chamber to permit opening of said main valve by liquid pressure acting on the front side of said main valve, and said pilot valve when closed effecting restoration of liquid pressure in said pressure chamber through said bleed passage to permit closing of said main valve by said biasing means, and means responsive to liquid level in said receptacle for actuating said pilot valve.

9. In a valve structure, a valve body having a cylinder with a lateral inlet for pressurized liquid and a coaxial outlet at one end surrounded by a valve seat, a piston valve reciprocable in said cylinder to open and closed positions and having a valve element engageable with said valve seat, said cylinder having an end wall rearward of said piston valve and provided with an axial venting port, and said cylinder having a pressure chamber between the rear side of said piston Valve and said end wall, the front side of said piston valve being exposed to the pressure of said liquid for urging said valve in opening direction, biasing means normally urging said piston valve in closing direction, means providing a restricted bleed passage between said inlet and said pressure chamber for admitting liquid under pressure to said pressure chamber, and a reciprocable pilot valve coaxial with said cylinder and movable to open and closed positions with respect to said venting port, means independent fof the pressure of the liquid for actuating said pilot valve to open and closed positions, said pilot valve when open relieving the liquid pressure in said pressure chamber to permit opening of said piston valve by liquid pressure .acting on the front side of said piston valve, and said pilot valve when closed effecting restoration of liquid pressure in said pressure chamber through said bleed passage to permit closing of the piston valve by said biasing means.

10. In a valve structure, a valve body having an inlet and an outlet and a passage for pressurized liquid connecting said inlet and outlet, hydraulically operated valve means Controlling the .110W ef pressurized liquid in said passage and including a reciprocable main valve movable to open and closed positions, the liquid passing from said inlet exerting a force against one side of said main valve urging said valve in opening direction, a pressure chamber at the other side of said valve adapted to be vented, means providing a restricted bleed passage between said inlet and said pressure chamber for admitting liquid under pressure to said chamber, biasing means normally urging said main valve in closing direction, means providing a liquid space in the outflow of the valve having an absolute pressure therein lower than the pressure in the vented pressure chamber, means providing a venting passage connecting said pressure chamber and said liquid space, a pilot valve for opening and closing said venting passage, means independent of the pressure of the liquid for actuating said pilot valve to open and closed positions, said pilot valve when open relieving the pressure in said pressure chamber to permit opening of said main valve by liquid pressure acting on the other side of said main valve, said low pressure liquid space exerting a suction action on the liquid in said pressure chamber when the pilot valve is open, and said pilot valve when closed etecting restoration of liquid pressure in said pressure chamber through said bleed passage to permit closing of said main valve by said biasing means.

11. In a valve structure, a valve body having an inlet 'and an outlet and a passage for pressurized liquid con'- necting said inlet and outlet, hydraulically operated valve means controlling the ow of pressurized liquid in said passage and including a reciprocable main valve movable to open and closed positions, the liquid passing from said inlet exerting a force against one side of said main valve urging said valve in opening direction, a pressure chamber at the other side of said valve adapted to be vented, means providing a restricted bleed passage between said inlet and said pressure chamber for admitting liquid under pressure to said chamber, biasing means normally urging said main valve in closing direction, means providing a subatmospheric chamber, means providing a venting passage connecting said pressure chamber and said subatmospheric chamber, a pilot valve for opening and closing said venting passage, means independent of the pressure of the liquid for actuating said pilot Valve to open and closed positions, said pilot valve when open relieving the pressure in said pressure chamber to permit opening of said main valve by liquid pressure. acting on the other side of said main valve, said subatmospheric chamber exerting a suction effect on the liquid in said pressure chamber when the pilot valve is open, and said pilot valve when closed effecting restoration of liquid pressure in said pressure chamber through said bleed passage to permit closing of said main valve by said biasing means.

12. In a valve structure, a valve body having an inlet and an outlet and a passage for pressurized liquid connecting said inlet and outlet, hydraulically operated valve means controlling the flow of pressurized liquid in said passage and including a reciprocable main valve movable to open and closed positions, the liquid passing from said inlet exerting a force against one side of said main valve urging said valve in opening direction, a pressure chamber at the other side of said valve including an end wall, means providing a restricted bleed passage between said inlet and said pressure chamber for admitting liquid under pressure to said pressure chamber, biasing means normally urging said main valve in closing direction, means providing a venting passage communicating with said pressure chamber, and a pilot valve for opening and closing said venting passage, said pilot valve when open relieving the pressure in said pressure chamber to permit opening of said main valve by liquid pressure acting on the other side of said main valve, and said pilot valve when closed eecting restoration of liquid pressure in said pressure chamber through .said bleed passage to permit closing of said main valve by said biasing means, said main valve when in open position being close to said 13 end wall for providing an additional restriction in said bleed passage to substantially block the flow of bleed liquid through said venting passage.

13. In a valve structure, a valve body having a cylinder with a lateral inlet and a coaxial outlet at one end surrounded by a valve seat, a piston valve reciprocable in said cylinder to open and closed positions and having a valve element engageable with said valve seat, said cylinder having a pressure chamber at the rear side of said piston valve, a valve block forming the outer end of said pressure chamber and having an axial venting port, said cylinder having an end closure retaining said valve block, the front side of said piston valve being exposed to the pressurized liquid for urging said piston valve in opening direction, spring biasing means normally urging said piston valve in closing direction, means providing a restricted bleed passage between said inlet and said pressure chamber for admitting pressurized liquid to said pressure chamber, a reciprocable pilot valve coaxial with said cylinder and movable to open and closed positions with respect to said venting port, said pilot valve including a valve stem slidable in said cylinder end closure, and means independent of the pressure of the liquid in said cylinder for actuating said pilot valve, said pilot valve when open relieving the liquid pressure in said pressure chamber to permit opening of said piston valve by liquid pressure acting on the front side of said piston valve, and said pilot Valve when closed effecting restoration of liquid pressure in said pressure chamber through said bleed passage to permit closing of the piston valve by said biasing means.

14. In a valve structure having a valve body with a passage for pressurized liquid and with an hydraulically operated main valve movable therein to open and closed positions with respect to said passage aud normally biased to closed position, and said body further having a pressure chamber at the rear side of said main valve in restricted communication with the pressurized liquid and adapted to be vented through a vent port to permit the pressurized liquid acting on the front side of said valve to open said valve, a pilot Valve reciprocable in said valve body and having a slidable valve stem with a valve element of rubber-like material at an end portion thereof for opening and closing said Vent port, said valve body having a tubular boss surrounding said stem, and said valve element having a sleeve portion surrounding said tubular boss in slidable sealing engagement therewith.

15. In a valved jet pump for evacuating liquid from a receptacle through a suction pipe extending upwardly to the pump which is spaced above the liquid level in the receptacle, said pump including, a valve structure having a main valve movable to open and closed positions and control means therefor including a pilot valve movable to open and closed positions, and actuating means for said pilot valve including a flexible tension member and means responsive to liquid level in said receptacle connected to said tension member.

16. In a valved jet pump for evacuating liquid from a receptacle, a valve structure having a main valve movable to open and closed positions and control means therefor including a pilot valve movable to open and closed positions, and actuating means for said pilot valve including a ilexible tension member and means responsive to liquid level in said receptacle connected to said tension member, said liquid level responsive means including a pivoted lever carrying a float at one side of its pivotal axis and having said tension member connected to said lever at the other side of the pivotal axis.

17. In a valve structure, a valve body having an inlet and an outlet and a passage for pressurized liquid connecting said inlet and outlet, hydraulically operated valve means controlling the flow of pressurized liquid in said passage and including a reciprocable main valve movable to open and closed positions, the liquid passing from said inlet exerting a force against one side of said main valve urging said valve in opening direction, a pressure chamber at the other side of said valve adapted to be vented, means providing a restricted bleed passage between said inlet and said pressure chamber for admitting liquid under pressure to said chamber, biasing means normally urging said main valve in closing direction, means providing in the outow of the valve a suction chamber when said main valve is open, at least a portion of the liquid discharged through said outlet passing through said suction chamber, means providing a Venting passage connecting said pressure chamber and said suction chamber, a pilot valve for opening and closing said venting passage, and means independent of the pressure of the liquid for actuating said pilot valve to open and closed positions, said pilot valve when open relieving the pressure in said pressure chamber to permit opening of said main valve by liquid pressure acting on the other side of said main valve, the pressure in said suction chamber during discharge of liquid through said outlet when said main valve and venting valve are open being less than the pressure in said vented pressure chamber, and said pilot valve when closed effecting restoration of liquid pressure in said pressure chamber through said bleed passage to permit closing of the main valve by said biasing means.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 318,185 5/85 Haydn 103-276 2,142,903 l/39 King 251-75 2,333,522 11/43 Clifton 251-33 X 2,366,596 1/45 Clifton 251-33 X 2,388,820 1l/45 Bonncll 251--33 X 2,453,812 1l/48 Phelan 251-75 X LAURENCE V. EFNER, Primary Examiner.

WARREN E. COLEMAN, Examiner. 

1. IN A JET PUMP HAVING AN INLET, A JET NOZZLE AND A SUCTION CHAMBER; HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED VALVE MEANS CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF PRESSURIZED LIQUID THROUGH SAID JET NOZZLE FROM SAID INLET AND INCLUDING A RECIPROCABLE MAIN VALVE MOVABLE TO OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS AND A PRESSURE CHAMBER AT THE REAR SIDE OF SAID VALVE MEMBER, THE FRONT SIDE OF SAID VALVE MEMBER BEING EXPOSED TO THE PRESSURE OF SAID LIQUID FOR URGING SAID MAIN VALVE TO OPEN POSITION, MEANS PROVIDING A RESTRICTED BLEED PASSAGE BETWEEN SAID INLET AND SAID PRESSURE CHAMBER FOR ADMITTING LIQUID UNDER PRESSURE TO SAID PRESSURE CHAMBER, BIASING MEANS NORMALLY URGING SAID MAIN VALVE TO CLOSED POSITION, MEANS PROVIDING A VENTING PASSAGE BETWEEN SAID PRESSURE CHAMBER AND SAID SUCTION CHAMBER TO DISCHARGE BLEE LIQUID FROM SAID PRESSURE CHAMBER AND TO IMPOSE A SUCTION ON THE REAR SIDE OF SAID MAIN VALVE WHEN SAID MAIN VALVE IS OPEN, AND A PILOT VALVE IN SAID VENTING 